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Crawford and Greinke nearing return to action

Carl Crawford was steady in 2012 before Tommy John surgery and he could do well at leadoff for the Dodgers, though his return may be delayed

By Ken Gurnick
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MLB.com |

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Carl Crawford and Zack Greinke moved closer to game action Saturday, with Crawford possibly serving as designated hitter Sunday and Greinke set for a short bullpen session.

Crawford has rebounded from his setback of elbow nerve irritation, playing in Minor League games three consecutive days and increasing his throwing as he returns from Tommy John surgery.

Greinke, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection Monday for elbow irritation, played catch Saturday for the second consecutive day.

"[Greinke is] good. It sounds like he's encouraged after throwing," manager Don Mattingly said. "He called it a good day. If everything is good [Sunday], he can have a light bullpen. I'm not throwing a date out [for a game]."

In other medical updates, Ted Lilly has recovered enough from the flu to make his scheduled start Sunday on the road against Arizona, with Hyun-Jin Ryu starting the other split-squad game at home.

Justin Sellers has improved from the sprained ankle that forced him to be scratched from Friday night's starting lineup, and he might play as soon as Sunday.

The flu has stricken non-roster invitees Peter Moylan and Ramon Castro, who took Saturday off.

Reliever Shawn Tolleson, struck on the pitching elbow by a line drive Saturday, escaped injury and worked out without restrictions Saturday.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.